Traditional meets contemporary Japanese design at this flagship property from one of the country’s most influential families.
When Michelin debuted its Hotel Guide in 2024, just six properties across Japan earned the coveted top distinction of Three Michelin Keys. While half were in Tokyo, one extraordinary stay stands out in the country’s former ancient capital: HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO, which forms part of the prestigious Luxury Collection by Marriott. In a city renowned for its ryokan traditions yet rapidly evolving in the world of luxury, HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO reimagines ritual within a serene, contemporary framework.
Built on the former Mitsui family estate—once the site of their executive residence opposite Nijo Castle—the hotel embodies a profound dialogue between history and innovation. Although the Mitsui family relocated in the 1940s, the land was serendipitously reacquired by their real estate team in 2015, with Hong Kong–based designer André Fu entrusted to craft a vision that would honor Kyoto’s cultural legacy while looking to the future. The outcome makes a striking but subtle architectural statement—an exquisite space rooted in tradition that delivers a sense of journey and perspective.
A Grand Entrance to a Storied Stay
Originally constructed in 1703 and meticulously restored, framing the hotel’s entrance is an impressive Kajiimiya Gate. Look closely and you’ll see it features faithful reproduction Tomebuta-gawara, or “sealed-lid tiles” adorned with peach motifs—regarded in Japanese culture as symbols of prosperity and good fortune—with the original tiles now preserved and displayed throughout the property. Beyond the imposing entryway, a bamboo-lined path guides guests to the lobby, where a ceramic sculpture by artist Yukiya Izumita serves as the focal point, complemented by a striking shoji-inspired lantern suspended overhead. Original artworks like these are woven throughout the hotel, from a ceiling installation evoking kimono fabric to a series of ceramic moons cradled in bamboo clouds, forms shifting on each guestroom floor to mirror the waxing and waning lunar phases.
HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO then unfolds around a central courtyard “shiki” garden by Shunsaku Miyagi, designed to showcase the beauty of Japan’s four seasons with a singular cherry tree as its centerpiece. A distinguished design team— André Fu for rooms and public areas, Yohei Akao for the spa and restaurants, and Akira Kuryu as master design advisor—worked under a guiding theme “The Beauty of Japan and the result is an atmosphere of elegance and understated luxury where nature quietly permeates and sometimes small but still impactful moments of discovery await. One such detail, kokedama moss balls adorned with decorative mizuhiki cords twisted into the shape of goldfish, was particularly pleasing.
Contemporary Tea Rooms in Disguise
Envisioned as a modern interpretation of a traditional tearoom, Fu wove walnut and tatami with sleek furnishings across the 160 rooms and suites, creating spaces that feel intimate yet spacious. Custom joinery pays homage to Kyoto’s carpentry heritage, while wall panels showcase woven textiles by kimono designer Jotaro Saito. Bathrooms are havens in themselves, each with a stone-hewn soaking tub that invite unhurried relaxation. For the ultimate indulgence, there are two Onsen Suites, sprawling but sophisticated 1,100-square-foot private retreats with outdoor tubs and exquisite living areas decorated with hand-carved sakura wood furnishings.
With unrivaled of views of Nijo Castle, the Presidential Suite is designed for exceptional entertaining complete with a chef’s kitchen and a dining area that can seat up to ten guests. Watching the rain fall one afternoon, cup of tea in hand, with peekaboo glimpses of the castle from my third-floor garden room, was quietly soothing. Evenings brought more delightful details and subtle touches of hospitality, or omotenashi: folded pajama sets placed on the bed (that you will want to take home and are available to purchase in the boutique), and small gifts such as a sample-sized spritz of the HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO’s signature scent by aroma designer Tomoko Saito (a delicately layered fragrance inspired by the red and black pine trees within the hotel garden) and a luxurious sheet mask infused with camelia oil.
Thermal Spring: Kyoto’s Only Natural Hot Spring Hotel Onsen
Kyoto may be celebrated for temples and gardens, but hot springs are rare in the city center. That makes the hotel’s own natural spring water—drawn from an onsite source 1,000 meters beneath the property which feeds its Thermal Spring Spa—a remarkable luxury. Designed by Yohei Akao, the underground sanctuary is accessed via a long wood-arched corridor reminiscent of the torii gates at the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Within, a striking communal onsen with multiple adjoining pools and relaxation spaces anchored by a large stone boulder sourced from the Mistui family estate and hewn in half. Two private onsen suites, each with their own gardens and lounge areas, are also available to reserve by the hour. The spa itself houses four treatment rooms, each looking out onto a garden.
Coveted Japanese skincare line Mikimoto Cosmetics (made with rare pearl ingredients) and family-owned French brand Alaena are used across therapies, including a serenity ritual and anti-aging facial, respectively, but it was the new Signature Treatment that really shone. First, a warming foot bath, incorporating Himekawa Yakuseki stones to amplify heat, followed by the selection of an original essence from a line co-created for the spa by aroma designer Tomoko Saito to harmonize with your mood and physical condition. A tranquil mix of yuzu citrus, aromatic shrub kuromoji, and hinoki wood, HANA promised relaxation and resonated the most.
Rooted in the ancient practice of Anma massage—brought to Japan from China in the 6th century—the treatment also draws on the philosophy of Yin-Yang balance and the Five Elements to harmonize energy flow or ki. The therapist’s gentle kneading and intermittent strokes with two warm herbal compresses soon guided my entire being into a dreamlike state. The experience lingered while a tray of tea and rice cakes were served afterward—a welcome interlude that allowed me to slowly drift back into my body before heading back up to my room.
Kyoto, Beyond the Crowds
In 2024, more than 8 million foreign travelers stayed at hotels within Kyoto City, the largest number to date and more than a 50 percent increase from the previous year. Yet, finding solitude is still possible thanks to HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO’s curated experiences. Timed to avoid the crowds, private tours to storied temples Byodoin, Toji, and Kiyomizu-dera provide a rare opportunity to experience these heavily trafficked sites in near solitude.
Another exclusive guest experience is a workshop at TOKINOHA, the ceramics studio of master craftsman Daisuke Shimizu, but perhaps the most transcendent offering is the CHAKYO tea ceremony led by So’oku Sen—heir to one of the three great tea ceremony houses descended from Sen Rikyu, the visionary who shaped Japan’s 'Way of Tea.' Be sure to reserve your spot at least one day in advance for the complimentary mindful breathing session, held each morning in the SHIKI-NO-MA room—a cypress-wood pavilion overlooking the garden. Its sliding doors are adorned with sumi ink motifs inspired by the garden during each season. Reflecting this attention to detail, room keys mirror these designs, changing from fall through summer.
A Culinary Journey Through the 'City of Water'
Italian cuisine is reimagined through a Japanese lens at Forni, where pizzas emerge from a kamado-style oven traditionally used in Japanese homes. The space also hosts the hotel’s daily breakfast buffet—fresh fruit, pastries, and chef’s specialties—alongside à la carte offerings, including a traditional Kyoto-style Japanese breakfast served in an oju box. Next door, the Garden Bar offers a front-row seat to observe the cherry blossoms during springtime and fiery maple leaves in the fall—paired with a seasonal afternoon tea or martini-style cocktail Kira crafted with Japanese gin and aged sake.
The undeniable jewel in HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO’s culinary crown, though, is signature dining experience, TOKI. It’s helmed by Parisian trained Chef Tetsuya Asano, who is set to represent Japan at the 2027 Bocuse d’Or International Culinary Competition and whose French-Japanese menu showcases Kyoto’s pristine waters in the creation offond (dashi), a refined stock that forms the foundation of elegant fusion dishes served across his Signature Course dining experience.
Delicately marinated for ten days in Saikyo miso and mirin to “bring out the depth of umami from the seafood,” the Kotoura Salmon with Ikura was a sublime early standout while an exquisite venison from Kamiseya, a mountain village in the Tango area of Kyoto Prefecture, accompanied by a craft gin sauce with sweet figs, was a strong final act before dessert. Enhancing the dining experience further, select seasonal dishes are plated on Kiyomizuyaki or traditional pottery crafted in Kyoto. Wine and a (refreshingly) non-alcoholic pairing are also available, the latter incorporating innovative tipples made using fine teas from Hong Kong-based purveyors TWG and fruit nectars by French brand Alain Milia.
The Cultural Heart of Japan
While HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO can feel like a destination unto itself, it also serves as an ideal gateway to exploring the city. Just steps away is the shogun’s former Kyoto residence, Nijo Castle, alongside artisanal shops like incense purveyor Hayashi-Ryushodo and ceramics store Hiscoa, as well as serene shrines such as Shirakumo-jinja within the Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. Across the Kamo River, the historic Higashiyama and Gion districts brim with traditional craft shops many of which are dotted along the popular but often crowded Ninen-Zaka and Sannen-zaka streets.
A Kyoto Classic & The MITSUI Brand Expands
While its flagshio Kyoto is established as one of Japan’s most coveted stays, the ultra-luxury brand is already looking ahead. In 2026, HOTEL THE MITSUI HAKONE will open on the site of the Mitsui family’s former mountainside villa, bringing their signature vision of refined, contemporary Japanese luxury to the celebrated hot spring town just two hours west of Tokyo. But if Hakone embodies the country’s natural spirit, then Kyoto represents its cultural heart, and HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO a serene dialogue between centuries. By weaving the Mitsui family legacy with a contemporary vision, a stay here offers a chance to experience Kyoto at its most intimate—an experience that lingers long after you leave. Nightly rates from USD$900. For additional details, visit hotelthemitsui.com.
All photos courtesy of HOTEL THE MITSUI KYOTO.
